Anyone ever refurbish window trim?

[dang]

I picked up my '69 2800CS last week after getting the rear window frame rust repaired. The trim that I picked up for the window isn't very good but the body guy said it can be sanded and polished back out to high quality. Has anyone done this? I have about eight pieces in various condition, so I have lots to practice with.

I'll take some before, during and after photos and post them here...

Dan

 

[84E24]

Referb window trim

I did the front trim on my E24.

There is a coating, like a clear coat, that needs
to be removed. Once that is off you will be down
to the basic aluminium. Then it can be polished to
a bright reflective finish. You have to be careful
not to heat up the piece when you polish it and also
it will bend very easy. Now you have to decide if
you want to add the clear coat back which will
reduce the brightness of what you just did. If you
leave off the clear the aluminium will oxidize in
time. The other option is to chrome it. That way
you never have to touch it again.

 

[bert35csi]

Dan, if you are referring to the chromed trim pieces, then don't sand them, if you do, you'll be sanding some of the chrome off, instead, use a good quality chrome polishing compound. Even with heavily tarnished chrome, with some compound and a little elbow grease, the chromed piece will polish to liked new condition.

Bert
72 3.5 CSi
88 M6

 

[blumax]

Correct item you are discussing

If you are discussing the so-called locking trim pieces for the rear and/or front glass--AKA windshield and backlight--then--IF this applies to your question

1) the material you are describing is anodized aluminum--often mistakenly called chrome--it should not be sanded and if re-finishing is a must it is probably a project for a professional polisher

2) anodized coatings can be professionally polished to remove same and then left sans coating--that will require periodic polishing to maintain its shine--how often depends on weather factors, where you keep the car, etc

3) these parts are difficult to handle due to their shape and a professional polishing shop may or may not agree to polish out those pieces

4) the lower trim line that goes around the car is also anodized aluminum--and a local shop here in SoCal has done the polishing of same--then follows polish with application of a new clear coating material that appears superior to the original anodizing--one of our local E-9 owners--Chris in Huntington Beach has had this done and it appears as or better than new

the shop that does this is Speedway Metal Finishing in Santa Ana, CA--their wheel refinishing (for undamaged wheels) and polishing services are of factory quality--I have used their services for years--as have many local owners and restorers--IMO their prices are quite reasonable--

phone contact is--714-542-7778 not aware if they have a website.
HTH

 

[bert35csi]

Oops, my mistake, the chromed trims I referred to were for the rear side windows.

Bert

 

[RogerB]

Re: Correct item you are discussing

If you are discussing the so-called locking trim pieces for the rear and/or front glass--AKA windshield and backlight--then--IF this applies to your question

1) the material you are describing is anodized aluminum--often mistakenly called chrome--it should not be sanded and if re-finishing is a must it is probably a project for a professional polisher

2) anodized coatings can be professionally polished to remove same and then left sans coating--that will require periodic polishing to maintain its shine--how often depends on weather factors, where you keep the car, etc

3) these parts are difficult to handle due to their shape and a professional polishing shop may or may not agree to polish out those pieces

4) the lower trim line that goes around the car is also anodized aluminum--and a local shop here in SoCal has done the polishing of same--then follows polish with application of a new clear coating material that appears superior to the original anodizing--one of our local E-9 owners--Chris in Huntington Beach has had this done and it appears as or better than new

the shop that does this is Speedway Metal Finishing in Santa Ana, CA--their wheel refinishing (for undamaged wheels) and polishing services are of factory quality--I have used their services for years--as have many local owners and restorers--IMO their prices are quite reasonable--

phone contact is--714-542-7778 not aware if they have a website.
HTH

Anodized coat can be removed with Eazy-Off Oven Cleaner. The parts can then be polished to a bright finish. You may have to gently polish them yearly to keep them that way.